James Benjamin is 2 years + 1 Month

I know, I know, I said I would stop the monthly updates once our little guy hit two years old.  But it's such a hard habit to break! I've written an update on him every month for the past 24 months, so when the 29th rolled around yesterday it felt really weird not to be doing a blog posts!!

So can I keep updating if I promise not to say he's 25 months old??  :)

JB is two years old PLUS one month.  And he's such a little stinker who cracks me up every day.  He cracks himself up, too, and loves to watch videos of himself on the iPhone.  He'll watch them, laugh and shake his head like "who's this clown?" 

A few other random things about JB at this age:

• He loves popsicles and frozen yogurt popsicles, but hates to hold them.  He asks for a paper towel and wraps it carefully around so he doesn't have to touch the cold 'sicle.
• He likes to "help" me carry Maryn's car seat from school to the car.  I can't tell him no (he's wanting to help!) so it means I have to walk all hunched down so he can reach. 
• He pulls down my shirt and says "Sissy eat".  
• He himself eats Cheerios every day on the way to school with Daddy.  He prefers that we get a fresh new ziplock every day instead of his snack cups.
• Every night we practice colors in the bathtub.  JB knows them all! He can say "blue" and "purple" very clearly.
• He enjoys watching the evening news with me while I cook because it always guarantees a fire truck and lots of police cars (sad, but we live in Atlanta.)  The Nightly News usually has an animal segment which brings a lot of excitement, too.
• Still a big reader, JB's favorite books right now:  Pete the Cat and His Shoes; A Castle Full of Cats; If you Give a Mouse a Cookie; Llama Llama Red Pajama
• Although he behaves well at our house, he gets to a friend's house and turns into a wild maniac - jumping on furniture, racing toy cars up and down their walls, throwing toys, swinging bats.  WHAT IN THE WORLD!?  
• He's getting more particular about clothes - what he wears, what shoes goes on his feet, his socks.  (The socks have more to do with a seam.  The seam has started to bother him if it's not just right.)  

This month, JB also learned a very critical word:  "no".  He hadn't said it before, but now we hear it a lot.  Sometimes appropriately, such as when we read Pete the Cat and Pete gets his shoes dirty.  ("Did Pete Cry, JB?"  "No!")  Other times it's in response to "let's come inside", "let's get a bath", "let's go home", etc.  But a word is a word and I'm happy he's saying it.  

Love you little guy!  You're starting off your third year so well!

Annual Carving Contest

It's that time of year, where our neighbors get together for the sole purpose of carving a pumpkin (not eating, drinking and socializing - no sir, we are serious about the PUMPKINS.) It's our 4th annual contest, and - as usual - everyone brought their A game.  The group has expanded a bit, and not just with kiddos. Tools of choice this year were also taken up a notch with several power tools (thank you Pinterest).

I did not get a picture of us getting to the party, but, for a visual, Maryn was in the k'tan carrier, JB was walking and holding my hand (stopping to say "hello" to all the super creepy ghosts and skeletons hanging in the yards), and James was pushing food and our (massive) pumpkin in the double stroller with Enda heeling beside him.  We got lots of honks and waves on the way down...

JB got to play with his bed bud, Mac, while Ends got to run around with her golden doodle pals, Peter and Tina. And they all (Enda included) ate endless supplies of Cheese-its so everyone was thrilled. 

Best I could get of two busy boys

James decided size does matter and brought a huge pumpkin. He rethought this decision when it came time to clean it...

After some delicious chili and snacks, it was time to carve.  We had this wonderful backdrop for added entertainment (name this movie!) 

Quite a good looking bunch of pumpkins, don't you think?? Lamar was our judge, but totally biased and awarded the winner to Molly (who carved "Lamar" in her pumpkin.) But better than her pumpkin last year (which got censored on the blog, if you recall...)

We were robbed!

(Molly still loves to have a little fun, and the non-nursing party goers were treated to Halloween Shots.) 

(Which I suspect were not as weak as she promised, judging by these faces…)

Another great neighbor night for the books!  Love this group.  

Pumpkin Pics!

This is one happy mama - we got our pumpkin pictures!  And they are great!!  Now, it wasn't an elaborate pumpkin patch or a weekend festival or anything extraordinary (the things I had originally planned to achieve such pics.)  It was a quick trip to a church patch up the street, but what a perfect setting and cooperative set of kiddos.

I have so many pictures.  And I will shameless share them all.  Now this is what society will probably tell us are the best pictures of the bunch:

And then here are the others that I adore because they capture my little ham cake perfectly.  He is more than happy to pose and "cheese".  He loves an audience and a camera.

Such a busy worker bee, arranging the pumpkins and picking out one for his class, one for our carving contest, then little ones for him and Sissy.

Speaking of Sissy, our normally content little M threw some major 'tude during the photo shoot.  A glimpse into the threenage to teenage years?  

We love our little pumpkins!

JB. Just Because

Last night was one of those times that my child kept doing things that amazed me, made me laugh, made me crazy... And I just had to document because I don't want to forget this fun phase! (Plus I was already snapping pics to send to James, who was stuck on a plane and needed some humor.) 

First, the potty. (This was actually a pic from the night before, but the exact thing happened last night. And every night.) JB insists on sitting on the potty, which I happily obliged (even though he rarely goes.) He also insists on a book.  Maryn also insists on being held around this time, so we all three read Goodnight Moon like this for at least 20 minutes. 

Then, PJ time.  JB has been insisting on socks AND shoes to go to bed.  I explain we don't wear shoes to bed.  This always results in some drama.  Until we found these PJs! JB is so proud of his "shoes". 

JB is also all about doing things himself.  When he wants the task, he pats himself vigorously on the chest to indicate "I'll do it!" Last night it was the zipper on those PJs.  Took a while, but he got them!

He also loves to read books on the quilt that his Aunt Shawntel (plus all our friends and family) made for him. And we can't forget to include Sissy on the quilt! He was adamant she join us.

When it came time to read books last night, JB thought we should each get one.  And read silently to ourselves.  If I tried to read, I was silenced immediatly. So we all three (Maryn included, who was given the prized Llama Llama book) sat with our books and read.

At the end of our reading, JB took a little lick of Maryn's paci. (GERMS!!!) I explained to JB that I had to wash it before she could have it again, and he jumped up, grabbed a hand towel, and started carefully wiping it off. I didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't really clean after all that effort!

This boy - he just melts my heart. Don't grow up so quickly, JB, okay??

Maryn, Just Because

Technically I still have 2 more weeks until Maryn's 2 month blog post, but I wanted to post some cute pictures of her.  Just because.  I guess I could title this a "Wordless Wednesday" post, but then I'd have to stay silent (who wants to do that?)

Maryn is such a joy; a precious little addition to our family.

She gives the sweetest little looks, the most contagious little grins, and is a content and peaceful baby.

How did we get so lucky - Love, Love, LOVE her.  

The 2015 Apple Festival Adventure!

Five years ago, James and I went on a random road trip up to Ellijay, Georgia for an apple festival one Saturday.   We probably heard about it somehow the day before and, lacking any obligations or responsibilities or plans, we meandered up, moseyed around town and explored the area for the day.  I wrote about it in this post, and, gracious, I look well rested and carefree.

This year I started telling James in July that we should go to the festival this Saturday. We don't do "last minute" much anymore.   JB woke up with a rash on Saturday (allergic reaction to a med), so we hit up the pediatrician's weekend walk-in clinic instead of a festival and postponed our trip until Sunday.  It took about an hour of packing the car, multiple bags, back-up support from Gia and Aunt Wyllene, a stop at Walmart along 575, and several meltdowns, but, God bless, we made it to the festival!!!!  (My how things change over 5 years...)  :)

Beautiful Part of Georgia - Worth Exploring!

But things have changed for the better, of course, and we thoroughly enjoyed the festival with our little family in tow.  The day was gorgeous (even a bit chilly), there were lots of fun booths for shopping, and there was - much to JB's delight - a train!  All the way from Texas!!

We went up and down every row of booths (managing a double stroller that neither of our children wanted any part of - but, hey, it made a good place to store our purses and purchases!)  JB made it clear he would NOT be riding a pony or petting any animals, so we steered clear of those areas.

I came home with some homemade goodies, including a bananas foster jam.  How good is that going to taste on a peanut butter sandwich?!  I resisted the urge to save some dough and buy 5 jars at a time - even though I love jams, jellies, and pumpkin/apple butters.

Homemade James

The best part about these Southern festivals is definitely the food.  Within a span of 1.5 hours (before lunch) I ate an ear of roasted corn and a fried apple pie.  (Why would you go to an apple festival without the promise of a fried pie!?)  James opted for boiled peanuts and freshly made pork skins.  Between us, I would say we had a fairly balanced meal of snacks, right? 

Fried Apple Pies

After the festival at the fairgrounds (in East Ellijay), we drove over to the westside of town to walk around downtown and grab lunch (then ice cream).

It was a bit crazy with all the apple crowd, but I would totally come back for a day trip (outside the apple festival season.)  So many cute shops, antiques, cafes.  There was also a John Deere tractor in the middle of the square - big hit with JB. 

(Poor bubs is on Benadryl to help with the reaction, and has yet another ear infection.  Despite not feeling so hot, he was quite the trooper all day.)

I drug my family all over the city center looking for the bench where we took our pictures 5 years ago.  Truthfully, replicating this picture was a huge part of why I started planning this trip in the summer!  Unfortunately we could not find a decorated spot for a photo-op, plus our kiddos were starting to fall apart by this time.  Still, totally worth the trip and what a beautiful day and place to enjoy our Sunday.  I've got lots of beautiful pictures in my mind that I will always remember.

School Days

When we drop off or pick up JB from school, it's amazing the difference in our child from June to now.  I can hardly recall the emotional turmoil that we all experienced, each and every day.  JB loves his school, his teachers, and his friends.  Particularly one little friend, Isla, who we hear about all the time.  ("Who are you going to see at school today?"  "ISLA!!!!!!!!"  JB has a major crush.)

Some of my favorite stories right now from JB's school days that I don't want to forget:

There is now an Instagram account for JB's class so we can follow their day. I can't believe the pictures: the kids practicing holding baby dolls, loading the dishwasher, sweeping messes, peeling and cutting bananas, etc.  "Life Skills" as they say.  Lunchtime pics at the best - they sit at little tables and serve themselves and others directly from the platters and bowls, family style (working on being kind and independent.)  Blows my mind. (Traditional Montessori was a different perspective for us, but we are loooooving it.) 

When I drop JB off at school now, he gets his name tag, puts it on the bulletin board, runs to his cubby, changes to his "indoor shoes" (his Crocs), and waves quickly to me without even turning around.  He's so excited to get to his table for breakfast or to a mat for an activity.

Last week he came home in his Crocs, which are strictly indoor shoes that stay in the classroom.  James told me that, at some point during the day, he had hid his outdoor shoes in the room. He wouldn't tell the teacher where.  I found them in his cubby this morning so who  knows where or how they found them.

JB got to school really late one day last week (hey, getting 2 kids out the door is HARD), and when he ran in I saw him mentally scan all the different work groups.  Or maybe he was looking for Isla?  Whatever the reason, he saw a group reading stories and bolted and nosedived into the group. I don't know why, but it was so funny to me.  

They do language studies at school - Spanish, French and Chinese.  When JB is supposed to be sitting with the Chinese or French group, he gets up and joins the Spanish group - refusing the leave. 

He loves to help - so much that the teachers let him join them while they make copies.  I've also seen him demand to hold the clipboard and pen while they're lining up to go to music or gym.  He's most often standing right beside the teacher.  He likes to make sure things are running according to plan (that kid lives for routine).

It takes us a good 20 minutes to leave school.  First, we have to say goodbye to the lizards, the fish, and the birds.  Then, outside, it's like a playdate amongst all the kids leaving.  They run around the grounds, climb on rocks, stick their hands in the water.  I have to drag JB away each day.  Last week he followed some bigger kids as they climbed the picnic table - I caught up to him before he almost jumped off!!!

Yesterday, during the 20 minute departure, I was chatting with another woman who had an infant in the carrier.  (I had set Maryn down in her carrier on the sidewalk). The woman started to walk away, and JB started yelling and pointing "SISSY!!!  SISSY!!!".  We had to show him that it wasn't his sissy, and that this nice lady wasn't 'napping our baby sister.  

AND NOW MY FAVORITE STORY FROM THE WEEK - When I picked JB up on Monday, the teacher, Ms. Brittany, pulled me and JB aside, very serious.  She asked JB to tell me what happened today, JB looked at the ground, and Ms. Brittany proceeded to explain that while leaving music to go to the playground JB was the leader of the group (of about 6 kids).  She asked him to line up the group along the wall, but instead JB took off and led the group screaming and running up and down the hall.  When she finally caught them, he laughed at her.  Basically our 2 year old led a little coup among his classmates.  We have been talking every day about "wearing our listening ears" to school.